The Best Traditional French Vegan Recipes - Veggie Vagabonds (2024)

Didn’t think you could find any French vegan recipes? Well, you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

You may know it already but traditional French food isn’t that vegan friendly. Actually, it can be pretty terrible for us herbivores. As vegans, we don’t think we should miss out on any country’s cuisine, and so we’ve compiled this list of delicious French traditional food that is completely veganised!

Pedalling our way through France has worked up a hefty appetite. It’s a good thing that all this cycling is quite the workout as we always indulge to our heart’s content whilst exploring a country. Initially, it seemed like vegans in France would really struggle but we have managed to find some accidentally vegan foods, supermarket finds and fresh produce markets, plus we’ve been whipping up some triumphs on the camp stove!

Traditional French food, however, is really not that vegan friendly. When wandering past restaurants we’ve kept our eyes peeled for potential things to try but never find things completely free from some type of animal product. Whilst staying with hosts we’ve asked them what traditional French foods we can try only to be met with puzzled faces and being told that “you cannot find ANY traditional dish without meat, cheese or egg!”.

This had to change!

One of the best ways to experience a culture is through its cuisine, so this seemed like bad news. Determined not to miss, and to share a famous cuisine with the vegan community, we’ve compiled a list of the best vegan French recipes so they can be enjoyed by all.

We’ve covered all bases from starters to mains, and sauces to desserts. Take a peep at the list and tell us which is your favourite!

Smaller Vegan Bites

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Crustless Mini Vegan Quiche

One of our favourite French vegan recipes, these mini French quiches are great as a starter or served as a side. They can also be eaten hot or cold and work nicely to accompany light lunches.

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Warm French Vegan Lentil Salad

A simple recipe that’s full of nutrients, flavour and can be rustled up quickly. The lentils are full of protein, so this is a good vegan French recipe if you’re fueling an active lifestyle!

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Vegan Coquilles Saint Jacques

French traditional food at its finest! This vegan take on coquilles saint Jacques is rich and creamy much like the original, which would combine nicely with one of the lighter salad options.

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Easy Vegan-Friendly French Potato Salad

Another easy vegan recipe that you can make quickly from scratch but is oozing with flavour!

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Vegan French Onion Soup

One of the iconic French recipes that has been enjoyed for centuries all over the country and the world. Give this vegan-friendly version a go, you won’t regret it!

Vegan Main Dishes

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Vegan Seitan Bourguignon

Another traditional French dish which is steeped in history and culture. This vegan recipe is made using seitan which adds delicious flavour and lots of nutrients too.

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Smokey Portobello Mushroom Vegan Cassoulet

This one is a great winter warmer and French food recipe if you’re looking for some comfort eating. Portobello mushrooms, mmmm…

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Smokey Tempeh Vegan Quiche with Aubergine Crust

Want to make some vegan French food that will impress? This smokey tempeh quiche stands out from the crowd with an aubergine crust instead of pastry and also makes it lighter and full of flavour. Plus, who doesn’t love smokey tempeh!?!?

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Vegan Choucroute Garnie

We first tried this traditional recipe from a French vegan cookbook and it’s delicious. It originated from the Alsace region near the German border and is a fusion from both cultures.

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Vegan Ratatouille Recipe

Ratatouille is one of the very few classic French recipes that doesn’t need to much veganising. This recipe shows this dish at its finest.

Vegan Sauces & Dips

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Vegan Hollandaise Sauce

This Hollandaise sauce is perfect to pour over your French veg recipes. Add a little to the potato salad and you’re on to a winner!

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Vegan Dijon Mustard Sauce with Herbs

Another French vegan food which can be found all over the world and is naturally plant-based too. This recipe is delicious to add to salads and dressings.

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Vegan Lentil and Walnut Dip

This dip is perfect smothered over some fresh French baguette and with some salad vegetables.

Vegan French Desserts

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Mint Chocolate Vegan Pots de Creme

Like a chocolate cloud in your mouth, this vegan French recipe is creamy, damn tasty and guilt free!

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Aquafaba Meringue Nests with Coconut Whipped Cream and Fresh Berries

Vegan meringue is probably the quickest way to our heart and this scrummy recipe, topped with an array of fruits and chocolate, is hard to beat!

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Vegan Cherry Clafoutis

A veganised version of the traditional French dessert that contains no eggs or butter but has the same melt in your mouth consistency.

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Vegan French Croissants

The most popular of all French pastries and a speciality you’ll find all over the world. This vegan croissant recipe means you can make the most of your continental breakfasts with a clear conscience.

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Vegan French Crepes

French crepes are something we’ve probably all enjoyed, both savoury and sweet, and this vegan crepe recipe is perfect to avoid any animal-products.

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Gluten-Free Mini-Eclairs

On the more intricate side of recipe-creating but worth the fuss for these delicious vegan eclairs. Damn they’re moreish!

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Vegan Apple Tart

Inspired by French market pastries from her childhood, Sophie created this beautiful vegan apple tart recipe.

What was your favourite recipe? Or are there others we should add to the list?

Tell us in the comments below! Want to find out about our latest articles? Sign up for our mailing list here!

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The Best Traditional French Vegan Recipes

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The Best Traditional French Vegan Recipes - Veggie Vagabonds (2024)

FAQs

Is veganism popular in France? ›

France. Around 5% of the French are vegetarian and another 1% vegan, and the meat-free trend is growing among the young – 11% of 18-19-year-olds in France say they are vegan, compared to just 3% in both Germany and Italy.

Do the French cater for vegans? ›

In France it's more unusual to have a dedicated plant-based sections and it's more common for things to be mixed in together. You'll find plant-based milk, vegan cheeses, tofu, tempeh, legumes, grains, and an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, but you may have to do a bit of rooting around.

Can you buy vegan food in France? ›

Several supermarket chains offer a range of vegan products in France. I LOVE the fresh fruit and vegetable selection you get in Grand Frais stores but the specialised vegan ingredients are a bit limited. Carrefours, E. Leclercs and Intermarchés were probably the best for plant-based milks and cheeses.

Which country is #1 for vegans? ›

India. Three of India's major religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — teach the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all beings. Because of this religious tradition, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians out of all the countries in the world.

What is the best city in France for vegans? ›

Montpellier is a beautiful city in the south of France. It has wonderful weather and lots of green spaces. It's also a great place for vegans because it's one of the most vegan-friendly cities in France. You'll find many restaurants in Montpellier that offer vegan dishes and vegetarian options.

Who is the famous French vegan chef? ›

Alexis Gauthier - The Michelin-Starred French Chef turned Vegan Pioneer.

Are McDonald's fries vegan in France? ›

In spite of numerous protests—and even lawsuits—McDonald's fries are not, and never have been, vegan or vegetarian.

What is the number one famous food in France? ›

What is France's national dish? There are many options to choose from, but France's national dish is probably the Boeuf Bourguignon. Well known in and outside France, it represents the beauty of the cuisine by transforming a simple piece of meat into an intensely flavored dish, only composed with national ingredients.

What is the national dish of France? ›

Pot-au-feu is the national dish of France. This essential version combines beef shank and rump roast with eight vegetables and a blend of herbs for an extra-comforting bowl. This classic French soup features tender beef, root vegetables, and marrow for a rich, flavorful meal.

What cheese is France known for? ›

The regions surrounding Paris and to its northwest specialize in soft ripened cheeses such as the famous Brie and Camembert, while areas to the east tend to produce harder cheeses like Emmental and Comte. The Basque region in the south of France is home to Ossau-Iraty, a delectable semi-soft sheep's milk tomme.

What is the word for vegan in France? ›

Végétalien, végétalienne” also translates as vegan in English.

How easy is it to eat vegan in France? ›

One of the best things about veganism is that it's not as restrictive as some people think. In fact, many traditional French dishes can easily be made vegan with a few simple substitutions. For example, instead of using butter in a dish, try olive oil or coconut oil.

How vegan-friendly is Paris? ›

It's no surprise that Paris is often called a vegan-friendly destination. So if you're looking for something a little bit different, be sure to do your research before you go. With a little bit of effort, you're sure to find the perfect meal – bon appétit! Not sure where to start?

How popular is veganism in Europe? ›

There are an estimated 6.62 million vegans in selected parts of the EU as of 2023, a number that's forecast to rise to about 8.25 million, according to data gatherers Statista.

Is veganism popular in Italy? ›

According to the survey, 6.5 percent of respondents declared to be vegetarian in 2014. Whereas, this value went down to 4.2 percent in 2023. On the other hand, the share of Italian vegan individuals more than tripled during this period. For instance, 2.4 percent of the interviewees claimed to be vegan in Italy in 2023.

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